Train safety neglected, says Vic ombudsman

Melbourne's underground train network is plagued by safety issues including crumbling emergency tunnels and corroded fire services after years of neglect, Victoria's ombudsman has found.

Acting Ombudsman John Taylor said despite seven engineering reports between 2001 and 2011 highlighting the deterioration of key safety systems in the tunnels, which lie 20 to 40 metres below ground, the Department of Transport had taken "little effective action" to correct them.

Melbourne's busiest stop, the iconic Flinders Street Station, also lacked an effective fire plan, Mr Taylor says in his report, tabled in state parliament on Thursday.

The city loop carries more than 700 train services each weekday and ferries an estimated 130,000 people through its four underground tunnels to Parliament, Melbourne Central and Flagstaff stations.

Public Transport Minister Terry Mulder blamed the former Labor government for failing to respond to concerns raised over a number of years.

"You wouldn't get a more damning report and it comes on top of a host of ombudsman's reports and auditor-general's reports about the failure of administration of the former Labor government."

He said he was concerned that bureaucrats did not advise him earlier of the issues that were raised in the seven previous reports.